Beaufort (1979-1988). Beaufort township is situated between Ballarat and Ararat. Was disused after standardisation, but returned when reopened by V/Line with the reopening of the line to Ararat.
Fingal OOn14 Tasmanian layout, all scratch built with hand laid track to 3'6" in OO scale.
Ettamogah Rail Hub.
Part of 'Springfield', a US layout, with steel mill at one end (shown) and a mill at the other.
Cheakamus Canyaon. Scott Fitzgerald and team, new layout, or part of it. This is just stage one, so will grow in time to come. Really has to be seen to get the impression of the canyon scene.
Trade news. No exciting releases, in fact things are going to quiet for a while to come, with the Australian dollar low against the US dollar.
Steam Era Models released his updated VHGF grain hoppers (ran out of mouldings last year, so decided to update the kit), with added parts, so can fit the detail kit if one wishes to do so, available separately. This detail kit could be used on older models, if not built.
Auscision is scaling back, projects to finish, and new models will be only available as a couple of versions at a time, as each variation required for a slightly different type cost between US$20 to 30 thousand.
Unnounced models to come will be CLP/CLF only in these versions, no CL due to cost involved of a completely separate model. The S class is in the pipeline, as uses many components from the B class, so really is just a new body mould.
Overland cars have progressed to the drawing stage. BGKF grain hoppers are a definite, coming in the next run of the NHFF coal wagons. Also, a new run of N class and N cars, in popular liveries with new numbers and the new PTC livery, as the N class locos are all be passed through Bendigo for work and repainting.
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| IP cars |
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| Auscision NR class tooling |
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| Looks like a SAR 600 |
Ontrack Models is going through partnership change: and due to the dollar, no new models planned.
As an example, the current 82 class run cost as much as the whole original project. The 80 class is on hold: the drawings made by the factory when the project was alive, were rejected as "rubbish" did not look like an 80 class so project was put on hold. Ontrack is waiting for further containers: should have been here weeks ago. More new liveries in the future. Also, expect new runs of all their current wagon models.
SDS. The NR's are coming late this year, with all the tooling corrections. Following on will be the 81 class due before Chinese New Year. After this, the B and G class, retooled to correct all the errors from the previous models.
Following on after the B/G will be the T class 2,3,4 also retooled to correct all the errors, a complete facelift to number boards and light positions; and the body been reduced in width by 2mm to the correct dimensions. (The Austrains model was tooled to fit their motor).
Also on display was the SAR 800 class shunter locomotive.
Phil Badger and Ixion Models had tooling for the up coming Victorian J class steam loco. Due just after the factory shut down for Chinese New Year. Only 1500 models been produce, half coal and half oil burners. If sell well, another run will be done. After the J, another steamer, either NSW VR or SAR??
So look out for projects that have been announced coming to completion, with a much reduced new model lineup, but plenty a new runs of older models.
